A fire has erupted at the Akaso 4 Wellhead, managed by Nigerian National Petroleum Company 18 Operating Limited in Rivers State. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) confirmed the incident, which began around 11:12 pm on Friday and has spread to the nearby riverbank.
Olaide Shonola, the NUPRC spokesperson, stated that NNPC 18 has dispatched an emergency response team to secure the well and contain the spill to prevent environmental damage. A naval houseboat and community surveillance have been put in place to monitor the situation. The cause of the fire is unknown, but a joint investigation with relevant parties is underway.
Additionally, Shonola mentioned that the fire at NNPC’s Alakiri Well 9T, which started on February 23, 2024, is still ongoing. Kenyon International West Africa Company, handling the situation, faces challenges and plans to switch to a total oxygen extraction method. The equipment for this method is ready, and the team is awaiting mobilization.
A review meeting with NNPC 18 Operating Limited will be scheduled to assess operational safety and integrity. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
